School can sometimes be trying for advanced students who are not challenged and spend their days waiting for fellow-students to catch up. They’re at risk of losing their love of learning. To prevent this, parents can explore options to foster growth and inspiration outside of school.
There are dozens of local organizations meant to challenge advanced students and rekindle their desire to learn. Here are a handful of the best national organizations that stimulate curiosity and encourage your child to keep learning.
Engineering for Kids
Engineering for Kids was started when CEO Dori Roberts realized there weren’t any engineering programs for her young kids (then six and eight) in the area. Now there are more than 145 locations in 21 countries that work with kids age 4-14 to learn STEAM concepts. There are after school classes, clubs, and weekend workshops to hone your child’s love of learning.
Learn.Create.Build Academy
The Learn.Create.Build Academy (LCB Live) has created a resource center for kids who love technology and ask questions their parents don’t know how to answer. They offer online courses on Minecraft, C#, and YouTube, as well as tech camps in more than 40 locations across the country.
Science Olympiad
Since 1984, Science Olympiad has been one of the top science competitions in the nation. There are options for K-12 students to participate, so you can enter each year. To date, there are more than 7,800 teams in all 50 states competing in various events and solving scientific challenges.
Earth Force
Each year, Earth Force reaches 140 communities with 170 projects. Students come together to address environmental problems in their communities and take steps to solve them. More than 90 percent of students say this program increased their 21st century skills and 84 percent say it increased their understanding of environmental issues.
MATHCOUNTS
MATHCOUNTS has a competition series where students can work with teachers and community adults to solve problems with math. This is a national organization where you can find nearby clubs or start one on your own. There’s also a National Math Club available where students can connect with others online to discuss math concepts and brainstorm activities.
Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (IMACS)
The Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (IMACS) uses the slogan “give your child an unfair advantage” in reference to STEAM subjects. Students focus on logic and creativity in lessons and activities with this organization. If your child needs a challenge, this is a great option. IMACS offers a variety of ways to get involved, from online courses and options for homeschool students to weekend and summer camps.
Saturday Academy
Built for students in grades 2-12, Saturday Academy has classes, summer camps, and weekend activities related to STEAM. Kids are encouraged to follow their curiosity as they learn and connect with their peers. This organization can also help kids as they graduate, with internship connections available.
SciTech Kids
SciTech Kids works with students ages 3-15 to follow their love of science and keep exploring the world around them. Based in New York, SciTech Kids has summer camps, weekend and after school courses, and also hosts birthday parties. It also has themes that cater specifically to preschool for younger learners.
Idea Lab Kids
This organization offers camps and year-round activities that challenge students to question, learn, and invent. There are more than 25 locations with over 50 STEAM-related themes. Some 25,000 students have participated in Idea Lab Kids to enhance their education.
MakerMinded
This organization works to promote STEAM concepts in schools through challenges and activities. When a school signs up for MakerMinded, the organization sends a customized digital activity portfolio. When students complete the programs, the school earns points; the school with the most points on the leaderboard wins awards.
Maker Faire
Maker Faire hosts weekend events across the country (and around the world), engaging local communities in maker culture. Families can work together to enter their projects in the Maker Faire or simply attend to see what people are making. In addition to these show-and-tell events, maker camps are hosted in communities across the globe, with starter projects suggested on the Maker Faire site.
JAM
JAM offers online courses for kids age 7-16. Whatever kids want to learn, there’s a class for it. Younger children can try drawing, cooking, or engineering while older kids learn advanced science concepts and animation. This is a great tool for focusing on your favorite subjects.
DIY
Like JAM, DIY offers opportunities for kids to learn with online challenges. Pick a subject that you’re interested in and “level up” by completing offline tasks with online instruction. For example, some kids have shared photos of their model rockets or completed drawings with the community. It’s a great way to connect with friends or challenge kids on their own.
Book Club for Kids
Book Club for Kids is a podcast and online community where middle graders discuss books they’ve read. The host typically invites celebrities to read sections of the book plus authors to answer questions. They have a list of upcoming books so your child has time to read them before they’re discussed.
